Resources

A guide to more information on subjects covered in the June 1997 issue, including business coaches and IPOs.

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Resources is the Inc. guide to more information on subjects in this issue. This information is intended to help our readers; Inc. does not profit from the sale of any of the resources listed.

Letters

In the March Focus question, one reader asked for advice on how to draw up a contract for some business he had already lined up. Lynette Podkranic, a reader and entrepreneur from Beaverton, Oreg., suggests he take a look at The Complete Guide to Consulting Contracts, by Herman Holtz (Dearborn Trade, 800-245-2665, 1997, $34.95).

Reader Glenn Bachman, CEO of the Business Renaissance, in San Rafael, Calif., recommends another book, Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, by Peter Block (Pfeiffer & Co., 800-274-4434, 1981, $39.95).

One last suggestion: Jim Abernethy of Melbourne, Fla., recommends consulting the Service Corps of Retired Executives, or SCORE (800-634-0245; www.scn.org/civic/score-online). "We're a nationwide network of volunteers who are expert in almost every aspect of business," he says.

Blue Chips: Company Goes Crazy over Partnerships, Gets Committed

Though it's weighted heavily toward large companies, Jordan Lewis's The Connected Corporation: How Leading Companies Win Through Customer-Supplier Alliances (Free Press, 800-223-2336, 1995, $30) provides a practical look at the dos and don'ts of partnerships. On a far more abstract plane is the book Trust (Free Press, 800-223-2336, 1995, $25), by Francis Fukuyama, the celebrated social scientist and spinner of profound theories. He argues that trust is the lubricant of capitalism, the vital social capital that fosters economic cooperation and reduces transaction costs. It's grandiose yet fascinating. Trust us.

On the Road: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Vineyard

The University of California at Davis offers a highly regarded program in viticulture and enology, including both degree programs and extension courses. For information about courses in the degree programs, contact the University of California at Davis, Department of Viticulture and Enology, Davis, CA 95616-8727; 916-752-0380. For information on continuing-education and extension courses, contact the University Extension at the University of California at Davis, 916-757-8777. Or visit the Web site for more information.

Inc. Query: Giving Unternehmers a Good Name

The Harvard Owner/President Management (OPM) Program is a compressive management program open to owners and executives with 10 years of management experience whose companies have revenues of several million to several hundred million dollars. About 2,400 businesspeople have thus far completed the nine-week program, which is held over a three-year period.

"I learned so much there and have applied much of it to my company," Spinnrad's Peter KrÄmer says. KrÄmer also says he wants his Web site to be the best in Europe within a year. For more information about OPM, call 800-HBS-5577, ext. 6009, inside the United States, or 617-495-6555, ext. 6009, outside the country. Harvard's OPM program may also be reached by fax (617-495-6999) or E-mail.

For information on Europe's 500, contact EFER, Bessenveldstraat 25, 1831 Diegem (Brussels), Belgium; phone 011-32-2-716-4838; fax, 011-32-2-716-4107.

Cover Story: The Zero-Defect CEO

Thinking of taking up a career in coaching? Pick up the phone--a skill you should practice anyway, since 95% of coaching begins that way--and order up a box of business cards. If anyone actually hires and pays you, then consider yourself a member in good standing of the newfangled breed. Typical monthly pay for a half-hour weekly conversation, as well as availability by E-mail or phone on an as-needed basis, runs from $150 to $500. ("Corporate clients," says Thomas J. Leonard, who launched the current coaching phenomenon, "won't do it if you don't charge them enough.") Some coaches require a six-month commitment, but that's about as long-term a contract as exists. Warning: you could quickly find yourself unceremoniously dumped back into the bland role of being a garden-variety consultant. Stay current on buzzwords, just in case.

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